Brandan Wrightknows Warriors fans were anxiously awaiting Friday night's summer-league performance - his first game action in more than a year.

He hopes they tuned in a little late.

The 6-foot-9, 205-pounder airballed a turnaround shot on his first touch, had a putback blocked on his next, committed a charge on his third and was stripped while attempting a jumper on his final look of a terrible opening sequence.

At the 6:18 mark of the first quarter, he unintentionally banked in a jumper, a fortune that turned him back into the player that has given fans hope for his future. Wright finished the 77-76 win over New Orleans with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

It was the first act of a make-or-it-or-break-it summer for Wright. The 22-year-old will earn $3.4 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract, having played only 77 games (none last season) in three seasons because of injuries.

"I know I need to be ready for the season, and I need to prove that I can play, and I will," Wright said.

"I think that Brandan's summer is really important, and I think it is time that he go out and show something," general manager Larry Riley said. "I think he'll do that.

"No message was intended by us drafting Ekpe Udoh or by us trading for David Lee but, if Brandan takes it as a message, that's OK."

Lee and Udoh are both power forwards who can fill in at center - the same positions as Wright. Lee and Udoh both rebound at a much higher rate than Wright.

"He doesn't need any extra motivation, but he just got some," point guard Stephen Currysaid. "He has great talents on the block, being able to extend guys and being able to finish. His ability to rebound is just up to him, whether or not he wants to put in the effort and prove to be the player he was last training camp."

Coach Don Nelson repeatedly called Wright the best player in camp last year, before Wright was lost for the season to shoulder surgery. Guard Reggie Williams wasn't in camp, but after practicing with Wright for three days here, he understands the rave reviews.

"Be ready Bay Area. Be ready," Williams said. "He is going to open a lot of eyes."

Morrow tendered: Restricted-free-agent guard Anthony Morrowhas been offered a three-year, $12 million offer from New Jersey, but Riley said he has not received the paperwork from the league. Once he does, the Warriors will have a week to decide whether to match the offer.

"We're going to have to look deeply into it," Riley said. "We are prepared that an offer of some significance could come."

The numbers of the deal create a murky situation for the Warriors, especially since their need is a small forward, not a shooting guard. But they found Morrow on a scrap heap and have invested in his improvement.

Forgotten one: Because of the big names of Lee and Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiafhas been somewhat forgotten in the Warriors' and Knicks' sign-and-trade deal. The center's impact, however, is not lost on his former teammates.

"He showed me everything you have to do as far as the mental aspects to make it in this league," Curry said. "He sat next to me in the locker room, and he was always in my ear.

"I will never forget everything he has done for me and his leadership."